Tsai is chairman of Cathay Financial Holdings, a Taiwanese investment group with more than 13 million customers. The Taipei-based company reported revenue of NT$204 billion ($6.3 billion) in 2024. His father founded Lin-Yuan Group, Cathay's parent, in the 1970s. Tsai and his brothers inherited the fortune in 2004.
The majority of Tsai's wealth is derived from the 23% stake credited to him in Cathay Financial Holding, a financial investment group with 700 branches and more than 13 million customers, according to the company's website.
He holds the shares directly and through a series of holding companies, according to the 2024 annual report and a September 2025 stock exchange filing. This analysis attributes shares held by family members in their owns names to the family members. Family-held shares that can't be attributed to individual members are credited to Tsai to reflect his status as chairman. About one-third of the stake is pledged and removed from the calculation.
He also owns a 19% stake in Taiwan FamilyMart, a convenience store operator, through Wan Pao Development according to an October 2025 filing.
The value of his cash investments is based on an analysis of inherited cash, calculated dividends, market performance and taxes.
Grace Chen, a spokesperson for Cathay Financial Holding, didn't respond to a request for comment on the net worth calculation.
Born in 1952, Tsai Hung-Tu is the second son of Tsai Wan-Lin who was once the richest man in Taiwan.
Tsai graduated from the law school of the University of Taiwan in 1974 and went to the U.S. for further study. He received a PhD degree from Southern Methodist University in 1978 and obtained his practicing certificate the following year.
His father requested he return to Taiwan in 1980 and he became a board member of Cathay Life Insurance at the age of 29. Tsai was promoted to vice chairman of the company four years later and became chairman in 1990.
His father died in 2004, and Tsai shared his father's assets with three brothers.
The billionaires lives in Taiwan with his sons.